THE FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE MEASURE - VALIDITY OF SELECTED ASSESSMENTMETHODS APPLIED TO STROKE SURVIVORS

This study examines the validity of two methods, using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) of assessing the functional performance of stroke survivors (N=89): (1) the structured interview with the stroke survivor(method 1) and (2) the structured interview with the nursing s taff(method 2). In the criterion validation study, high sensitivity (0 .79 to 0.94) and specificity (0.67 to 1.00) values were obtained for a ssessment methods 1 and 2. This indicated that the FIM structured inte rviews with stroke survivors and nursing staff concur with the results of the gold standard: the direct observation of functional performanc e (method 3). The results of the convergent validation study indicated that the FIM structured interviews (methods 1 and 2) are in agreement according to the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) of the fi rst four sections of the FIM (items A-M) (0.70 and 0.80). The ICCs of neuropsychologic (items N-R) FIM items were weaker (R=0, 56 to 0,65). FIM questionnaires (methods 1 and 2) are considered to be valid when a pplied to stroke survivors. It is not suggested that the interviews sh ould replace clinical observation. These alternatives could, however, be examined more deeply to reduce time of assessment among clinical se ttings. Further validation studies on the FIM assessment methods are n eeded with a larger sample of stroke survivors.